Naruto: The Nine-Tails' Legacy

"Where could they have gone?"

Holding the takeout ramen, Sasuke was just about to start searching for Naruto and Hinata when Neji suddenly shouted from beside him.

"Hey, come look at this...!"

Standing at the entrance to Naruto's room, Neji stared inside with a look of utter shock.

"What is it this ti—"

Sasuke walked over and stopped mid-sentence.

The scene before him left him stunned.

Naruto's small apartment, usually plain and completely visible at a glance, now bore a massive crack that stretched from the ceiling all the way to the windowsill.

The entire room had been split in two.

It looked as though something had sliced straight through it.

Through the gap, Sasuke could even see the rooftop of the building opposite.

Despite the distance, faint scrape marks could be seen on the wall over there as well.

Fortunately, nobody lived in that building.

Because Sasuke himself had purchased it and was currently using it as a temporary storage house.

"Were they attacked?"

"…No. Look here."

Neji's Byakugan observation skills were astonishing.

Following the path of the split, he arrived beside the bed.

"Doesn't this slash look like it originated from this position?"

A slash released from a point slightly above the bed.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes.

"Looking at the angle, rather than being attacked…"

"It seems more like some kind of penetrating technique was fired outward!"

The two reached the same conclusion simultaneously.

Then they remembered what they had just seen—

Naruto carrying Hinata in his arms.

There was only one possibility.

"Quick!"

"They must have gone to the hospital!"

"Hinata was definitely injured by one of Naruto's new techniques!"

—

Meanwhile, at the Hyūga Clan compound.

Hyūga Hiashi had only recently received the news.

His expression was tense as he hurried back home.

He had been carrying out the mission to investigate Uchiha Shisui's whereabouts when he received notification that Naruto had brought an unconscious Hinata back to the Hyūga estate.

He immediately abandoned everything and rushed home.

Fortunately, thanks to the communications network established after the Third Hokage's orders, shinobi on special assignments could now receive urgent messages directly through mental communication.

The moment Hiashi pushed open the door—

"Father?"

The pale-faced Hinata lying on the bed looked at him in surprise.

Beside her stood Hanabi, who was worried sick about her older sister, and Hyūga Natsu, the maid who had cared for them since childhood.

All of them looked startled.

"Weren't you in the middle of a mission?"

Of course, Naruto—who was sitting beside the bed gripping Hinata's hand tightly—also turned to look at him.

"It was a village mission to begin with."

Hiashi relaxed slightly after seeing that his daughter appeared unharmed.

"Someone rotated in to replace me. The mission isn't a problem."

Then he turned toward Naruto.

"What happened?"

Naruto subtly glanced around the room.

Hiashi instantly understood.

His gaze swept across the others present.

Besides Hanabi and Natsu, there were several senior Hyūga clan members who had come to examine Hinata, along with a number of curious clan members who had been attracted by the commotion Naruto caused earlier.

Seeing how crowded the room had become, Hiashi frowned.

Before he could say anything, however, the spectators had already gotten the hint and quietly dispersed.

Over the past few years, Hiashi's authority within the clan had grown significantly.

Most clan members now held genuine respect for him.

As for the elders who constantly challenged him over traditions and the Main Family–Branch Family system...

Recently, Hiashi had personally assigned them to investigate Uchiha Shisui's whereabouts and assist with village patrol duties.

Twenty-four hours a day.

Naturally, the official reason was that the Third Hokage had specifically designated the Hyūga Clan as a primary force in the village-wide investigation.

And since the Hyūga Clan possessed the strongest reconnaissance dōjutsu in Konoha, they were duty-bound to shoulder the responsibility.

Furthermore, according to Hiashi's explanation, this matter concerned the safety of the entire village.

How could they not take it seriously?

Most importantly—

He praised them endlessly before they could object.

According to Hiashi, these elders were not only experienced and powerful veterans...

They were selfless heroes.

With Konoha's ANBU suffering severe losses, the people most worthy of trust in the village were these living legends who had survived countless ninja wars.

They were the perfect candidates for the mission.

The speeches went something like:

"The village stands at a critical moment. Only our revered elders can turn the tide!"

"The Hokage himself has entrusted the Hyūga Clan with this great responsibility!"

The entire approach radiated righteousness.

The poor elders, half a foot into the grave already, could barely go for a walk without being pushed around in wheelchairs.

And now they were expected to put their forehead protectors back on and return to active duty?

As a result, only one day after Hiashi issued the order, those same elders who constantly complained about traditions and clan rules suddenly became very cooperative.

Not a single bad word about Hiashi could be heard anymore.

For the time being, Hyūga Hiashi's authority within the clan had become absolute.

Seeing that Hiashi understood his meaning, Naruto gently squeezed Hinata's soft hand.

"I'll be back in a moment."

"Mm."

"Hanabi, can you take care of your sister for a little while?"

Naruto stood up and rubbed Hanabi's head with a smile.

"Don't treat me like a little kid."

Hanabi's face clearly conveyed that message.

However, after entering the Academy, she had heard countless stories about Naruto.

And then there was a certain arrogant boy claiming to be Naruto's disciple who had defeated her.

Because of that, Hanabi always felt somewhat subdued whenever Naruto was around.

Combined with all the stories her father and sister occasionally told about him, she found herself unable to throw a childish tantrum in front of him.

So she merely snorted.

On the bed, Hinata watched Naruto turn back every few steps.

She smiled gently at him.

A silent reassurance.

She was fine.

"Please don't worry, Naruto-sama. I'll take good care of Lady Hinata."

Natsu also spoke softly from the side.

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

Only after repeatedly making sure everything was settled did Naruto finally relax.

Oddly enough, Hiashi found this sight very satisfying.

Looks like he truly cares about Hinata.

Good.

Soon afterward, Naruto and Hiashi entered an empty guest room.

"What exactly happened?"

Hiashi asked immediately.

"Naruto, before this, Hinata's eyes underwent some kind of change."

Naruto's expression became serious.

"And there was a very strange power."

"Although it only lasted briefly, that power almost caused her body to collapse."

"She lost consciousness instantly."

"But when she woke up just now, everything had already returned to normal."

"A change?"

Hiashi's eyes widened.

"The Byakugan changed?"

"That's impossible."

His voice grew serious.

"What exactly were you two doing beforehand?"

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